Quasi-linear multi-state digital modulation through non-linear amplifier arrays

Abstract

At least one amplifier is selected from a first bank of non-linear amplifiers. At least one amplifier is selected from a second bank of non-linear amplifiers. The number of amplifiers selected from the first and second banks remains constant. Using the selected amplifiers, first and second components of a digital symbol are amplified using the first and second banks, respectively. The outputs produced by first and second banks are combined to produce an analog representation of the digital symbol.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of amplification, comprising: 
       selecting at least one amplifier from a first bank of non-linear amplifiers;  
       selecting at least one amplifier from a second bank of non-linear amplifiers, such that selection of amplifiers from the first and second banks amplitude modulates an information signal;  
       using the selected amplifiers, amplifying first and second components of a digital symbol using the first and second banks, respectively; and  
       combining outputs produced by first and second banks to produce an analog representation of the digital symbol.  
     
     
       2. A method of amplification according to  claim 1 , wherein the first component is phase shifted by 90° with respect to the second component. 
     
     
       3. A method of amplification according to  claim 1 , wherein at all times during operation, one and only one amplifier is selected from each of the first and second banks of amplifiers. 
     
     
       4. A method of amplification according to  claim 1 , wherein there are four amplifiers in the first bank of amplifiers and four amplifiers in the second bank of amplifiers. 
     
     
       5. A method of amplification according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       there are m amplifiers in the first bank of amplifiers,  
       there are n amplifiers in the second bank of amplifiers, and  
       each symbol carries r bits of data such that 2 r =(m*n).  
     
     
       6. A method of amplification according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       each amplifier of the first bank has a different gain characteristic,  
       each amplifier of the second bank has a different gain characteristic, and  
       the individual gain characteristics of the first bank are the same as the individual gain characteristics of the second bank.  
     
     
       7. A method of amplification according to  claim 6 , wherein the gain characteristics are selected so as to provide equal gain intervals between the amplifiers of each bank. 
     
     
       8. A method of amplification according to  claim 1 , wherein the amplifiers from the first and second banks are selected based on the gain characteristics of the amplifiers. 
     
     
       9. An amplifier device for amplifying an information signal, comprising: 
       a first bank of non-linear amplifiers;  
       a second bank of non-linear amplifiers;  
       a selection unit to select at least one amplifier from each of the first and second banks of non-linear amplifiers such that  
       for each bank, the selected at least one amplifier produces an amplified output from a different component of a digital symbol, and  
       selection of amplifiers from the first and second banks amplitude modulates an information signal; and  
       a combination unit to combine the amplified outputs from the first and second banks.  
     
     
       10. An amplifier device according to  claim 9 , wherein there are four non-linear amplifiers in the first bank and four non-linear amplifiers in the second bank. 
     
     
       11. An amplifier device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second banks are formed on an application specific integrated circuit chip. 
     
     
       12. A wireless telephone, comprising: 
       a telephone body, a speaker, a microphone, an antenna, and a transceiver, the transceiver having a radio frequency amplifier comprising:  
       a first bank of non-linear amplifiers;  
       a second bank of non-linear amplifiers;  
       a selection unit to select at least one amplifier from each of the first and second banks of non-linear amplifiers such that  
       for each bank, the selected at least one amplifier produces an amplified output from a different component of a digital symbol, and  
       selection of amplifiers from the first and second banks amplitude modulates an information signal; and  
       a combination unit to combine the amplified outputs from the first and second banks.  
     
     
       13. An amplifier device, comprising: 
       a plurality of Q-phase amplifiers to selectively amplify a Q-phase component of an M-ary QAM signal and produce an output;  
       a plurality of I-phase amplifiers to selectively amplify an I-phase component of the M-ary QAM signal and produce an output; and  
       a combiner to combine the outputs of the Q-phase and I-phase amplifiers, wherein  
       amplifier selection within the Q-phase amplifiers and the I-phase amplifiers provides amplitude modulation for the M-ary QAM signal.  
     
     
       14. An amplifier device according to  claim 13 , wherein the combiner produces an output signal that is fed to an antenna device with no intervening linear amplifiers. 
     
     
       15. An amplifier device according to  claim 13 , wherein the combiner produces an output signal that is sufficiently amplified for wireless transmission. 
     
     
       16. An amplifier device according to  claim 13 , further comprising an antenna device directly connected to combiner.